Bristol Rovers are poised to make club history as they seek an 11th consecutive home league victory when they host local rivals Exeter City. The match, scheduled at the Memorial Ground, presents an opportunity for the Gas to surpass a record that has stood for 91 years and was last matched in 2016.

Manager Steve Evans, who recently turned down interest from Scottish club Hibernian to remain focused on Bristol Rovers’ push for promotion to League One, emphasized the significance of the milestone for the club and its supporters. Evans, 63, expressed his desire to celebrate the achievement alongside players, staff, and fans immediately following the match.

“If we do that, we’re not going to go back into the dressing room – we’re all going to go in the Thatchers Bar,” Evans said, referring to the club’s traditional post-match gathering spot at the ground. He added that he plans to cover the first round of drinks, with possible support from the club’s owners to accommodate the full home crowd of over 10,000 spectators.

The club, founded in 1883, has a rich history that Evans is eager to join as the sole holder of this record. “We want to join the people that are the real owners of this club but to do that, we have to win,” he said. “It will be nice to have a pint after the game. Maybe I’ll have a couple and get the train home.”

Bristol Rovers currently sit sixth in the league standings but enter the contest on the back of two consecutive away defeats. Exeter City, managed by former Rovers boss Matt Taylor, have struggled this season. Taylor’s familiarity with Bristol Rovers’ squad heightens the competitive stakes, as some Exeter players have previously worked under Evans.

“There are players in that Exeter side who have played for me, so I know how tough it’s going to be,” Evans commented. “Matt will be determined to come back for his own personal pride and try to win the game.” He also called on the home supporters to rally behind the team, recognizing this as a chance “for everyone in the stadium to watch history be made.”

With the potential to set a new benchmark in the club’s long-standing home record, Bristol Rovers and their fans are preparing for a match that could mark a defining moment in the team’s modern era.